Friday Thought -- May 29, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

What kind of things dominate your thought life?

To focus on the things in the list Paul provides would be a radical departure from the list of the most common things people think about! Perhaps we’ve stumbled upon at least one of the keys to the radically different life that God commends to us. Perhaps it starts in the mind. Change the way we think and we’ll change the way we live.

That is what Paul told the Romans, too. The key to a life that is not conformed to the world is a transformation that starts in a renewed mind. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

It’s the same advice Paul gave to the Corinthians. Take your thoughts captive and bring them into obedience to Christ. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

I wonder what would happen in your life if you took Paul’s advice? I wonder what would happen in mine?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- May 28, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Worry is a constant companion in life for many of us, maybe even most of us. There is a lot to worry about.

We worry about our health. We worry about our families. We worry about our country. We worry about our jobs. We worry about money. I'm starting to worry just listing all the things we have to worry about!

But though worry seems a natural response to the uncertainties of life it’s not the response God is looking for in us. Paul encourages us to replace worry with prayer.

Prayer demonstrates trust in God’s ability and willingness to help. Prayer is about dependence upon Him. Prayer is about His love. Prayer is about trusting Him.

When we do depend upon Him, grasp His love, and trust Him; then worry is replaced by peace. It’s not a natural thing. In fact, it transcends all understanding. It’s the gift of God to those who trust Him.

It makes sense to me. After all, He has proven Himself very trustworthy through history and even in my own life. If it makes so much sense, then why is it so hard to do?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought – May 27, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:4-5)

We can always rejoice!

Life is hard, no doubt about it. The struggles are real. There are struggles within ourselves because of doubts and fears and inadequacies and sins. There are struggles that attack us from outside us. The devil is on the prowl seeking to hurt us. Other people do not always treat us with kindness and justice. Circumstances are sometimes painful. Life is tough and if we focus on its struggles, we can always be discouraged and distressed.

There are two realities that can bring joy in the midst of life’s difficulties:

The Lord is with us, He is near us always. No matter what it is that life deals to us, God will be with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He’ll walk with us through the darkest valley possible. Focus on His presence. Lean on Him.

The Lord is coming. Not only is He near in the sense of His presence, but He is near in the sense of His coming to take us home. When He does take us home all of life’s difficulties will be over and they will be replaced by eternal joys and blessings.

The Lord is near, so we can rejoice!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- May 26, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” (Philippians 4:2-3)

The picture above is not that unusual: two people, who both love the Lord, can’t get along with each other. Maybe it’s a personality thing. Maybe it’s a competition thing. Maybe one offended the other and they just can’t get past it. Maybe it’s a doctrinal disagreement, or a disagreement over methods.

It could be any of those things. They’ve all happened in the history of the church. They’re all happening right now somewhere in the church.

Such disagreements caused Paul great distress. Something needed to be done to bring these two women together. He pleaded with the women themselves to make the move necessary to start getting along with each other.

If that didn’t work, it was an important enough issue that Paul asked others to help. He asked those he could trust and count on to do what they could to help the women get along.

Relationships in the kingdom of God are important. Relationships with other believers are one of the few things that will be eternal. We’ll live with each other forever!

If you have a relationship with another Christian that isn’t right, Paul’s pleading is for you, too. Take the first step toward getting along with them again.

If you know of a couple of Christians who can’t get along, be a peacemaker. Do what you can to help them get along.

His, by Grace,

Steve 

Monday Thought -- May 25, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!” (Philippians 3:20-4:1)

Many men and women have given their lives to provide and preserve our American freedom. Those who have given their lives for our country deserve to be honored. The rights and privileges we enjoy in America are to be cherished and celebrated. They have been passed down to us at great cost to generations past and continue to be provided for us by sacrifices today.

But our true citizenship is not in America. Our true citizenship is in an eternal kingdom, a heavenly one. We are Americans by birth. We are Christians by re-birth. While those who have given their lives so that we can enjoy American freedom are to be honored, the One who is truly to be honored and worshiped is the One who has given Himself for our eternal freedom and life!

We honor Him because He has given Himself for us. We also honor Him because He is coming again to transform us for all eternity. Time and again we have been very rudely and tragically reminded about the far less than perfect society in which we now live. And it’s not just others who have messed it up for us. We’ve participated in messing it up ourselves. We await the day of transformation when all the mess ups will be wiped away and glory will replace it!

Hold on to that! He’s coming. He’s coming soon. When He does, He’ll set everything right. Even you and me!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- May 22, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:18-19)

I am challenged and chastened by Paul’s attitude toward those who are not Christians. When he thought of those who were enemies of the cross, there were tears in his eyes. There was no sense of them getting what they deserve. There was no joy in the vindication of those who do believe. There was just deep sorrow for the fate of those who don’t believe.

The prayer of Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision, was “Break my heart with the things that break the heart of God.” Paul’s heart was broken by non-believers. His heart reflected the heart of God.

Is your heart broken by the things that break God’s heart? Are you willing to pray Bob Pierce’s prayer, asking Him to work to break your heart?

When you think of non-believers, think of the emptiness of a life focused only on earthly things. Think of the Christless eternity they face. Think of what they are missing without a personal relationship with God. Think of what they’ll miss forever.

May those thoughts break your heart … and mine, too!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- May 21, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” (Philippians 3:15-17)

Sometimes it’s frustrating to be around people who are wrong. The tendency is to want to correct them and if they don’t listen the first time to keep bringing the subject up until they finally get it. Paul must have wanted to follow that same pattern. I can’t imagine that it was easy for him to let people continue to be wrong. But notice how Paul encouraged us to handle those who are wrong: let God make clear their error. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t ever try to help, you may be the instrument God uses. But it does mean it is not our responsibility to keep coming back to the point we think they are in error about until they agree with us.

Do you trust God to work in the lives of other believers, that’s the point! What we don’t need to be are nags. Nags rarely change anyone’s point of view.

There’s one more bit of advice here. Don’t let the areas in which you are unsure keep you from following Christ in the areas you are sure: live up to what you've attained. I like what Mark Twain once said, “It’s not the parts of the Bible I don’t understand that give me the most problem, it’s the parts I do understand.”

Follow the direction from God that is clear and be open to God to continue to make clear His direction in other areas of life, too.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- May 20, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

Sometimes it seems like an awfully long journey to spiritual maturity. I’ve been on the road for most of my life and I know I have not reached the goal, yet. I have to admit that there have been times in my life when I thought I was further along the road than I really was. God finally got my attention and brought me back to the reality of how far I was from where He wants to take me.

It’s such a long road that sometimes I feel like giving up. It seems like I’ll never reach the goal and the progress is so slow. It is to that spirit that Paul speaks here. His encouragement was to keep pressing on, even as he was. Paul hadn’t made it, either. But that didn’t discourage him. Instead, he kept pressing on.

That is good advice for travelers on the same journey:

Don’t ever get the idea that you’ve made it. If Paul hadn’t made it, I’m confident that you and I haven’t either.

Remember it is Jesus who grabbed hold of you and put you on the road in the first place. He’ll stay with you all along the journey.

Keep traveling one day at a time. Don’t dwell on the past. Let it go and keep moving forward.

Lift up your eyes and look toward the goal. There is a heavenly prize at the end of the journey. One day we will see Jesus and then we’ll be like Him. (1 John 3:2)

One more thing: don’t get so caught up in the slowness of the progress that you miss the joy of the journey itself!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- May 19, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ -- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:8-11)

The most important thing in the world to Paul was knowing Jesus. Nothing else compared to that in value. Compared to knowing Him, everything else was just trash.

Is knowing Jesus the most important thing in your life? If you answered “yes” to that question, then let me follow up with another one: would anyone know it by the way you live your life? If an unbiased observer were to spend time carefully examining your life, in every aspect … your thought life … how you spend your time … how you spend your money … everything else about life … what would he say is most important to you?

How could anyone tell that knowing Jesus was the most important thing in Paul’s life? Paul talked about Him all the time. Paul had a career, but it wasn’t the focus of his life, its sole purpose was to support him in doing what he really wanted, telling others about Jesus. He went to prison for talking about Jesus. He thought about Jesus, all the time, he brought every thought captive to Him.

It was obvious that to Paul, Jesus was the most important thing in his life. Is it so obvious in your life?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- May 18, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh – though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:1-7)

Some of us have a lot to be proud of: raised in an elder’s home; a family filled with ministers and missionaries; dedicated to the Lord early in life; a whole string of perfect attendance pins from Sunday School; many choice passages of Scripture committed to memory.

You can add your own list of religious accomplishments to the one I’ve started. Perhaps your list looks pretty good! Paul’s did. In fact, I’m confident that his list looked at lot better than yours. If there was a religious accomplish available, he had already added it to his list.

But then he found out something startling. It happened in a flash of light on the road to Damascus and was confirmed through the following years. His list didn’t make any difference! Not to God! And it came to mean nothing to him, too.

Paul put his list of religious accomplishments on one side of a scale and Jesus Christ on the other side. The scale tipped immediately and totally toward Jesus!

Which side of the scale do you hang on to? Which side of the scale do you rejoice in? There’s only one side really worth anything! Rejoice in Him!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- May 15, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.” (Philippians 2:25-30)

Some things are worth dying for. The work of Christ is among them! Ask Epaphroditus and he’d tell you that. It was a sacrifice to do what he did for the Lord. But it was worth it!

What was it that Epaphroditus did for the Lord? What was his contribution to the work of Christ? I can’t tell you everything he did, but what Paul mentions here, what we know he did, was the mundane task of caring for Paul. He was just a helper for Paul. In today’s culture he probably would have been setting up chairs for the meetings, running to get Paul’s suit from the dry cleaners, passing out bulletins at the door, arranging for ushers to receive the offering, and a hundred other behind-the-scenes tasks that would help make the work Paul was doing go smoothly. He was a helper. He wasn’t a star. He wasn’t an up-front personality. He was a helper.

Yet, Paul told the Philippians to “welcome him with great joy” and to “honor men like him.” A simple helper, and even that simple help was worth risking a life to accomplish and worth honoring!

There are probably some “helpers” around you who do mundane, behind-the-scenes tasks for the work of Christ. They probably don’t get much “honor.” Perhaps a word of encouragement or a pat on the back from you would be appropriate.

Maybe there are some mundane, behind-the-scenes tasks that you could do, too. You don't have to be a star to be doing something worthwhile for Christ.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- May 14, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.” (Philippians 2:19-23)

When Paul looked into Timothy’s life the characteristic that set him apart from all others was his unselfishness. Timothy’s concern was not what he needed, but how he could serve the Lord and others.

What a marvelous tribute to this young man. What a marvelous example he provides for us!

Timothy took a genuine interest in others. When he asked “how’s it going?” He was really interested in the answer he received. It wasn’t just saying the expected thing. When he offered his help, he truly wanted to help, he wasn’t just being polite. He genuinely cared about others and truly wanted to serve them.

The key to Timothy’s character was that he put the interests of the Lord first in his life.

I know in my own life there is still a great deal of selfishness. No matter how pure I try to make my motives there is still a concern for how what I’m doing will affect me. Timothy provides a good challenge for me. There’s still work that the Lord would like to do in my life in this area.

How about yours?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- May 13, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life -- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:14-18)

What you do is not all that is important. The attitude with which you do it is also important.

Grumbling or grudging obedience is not pleasing to the Lord. It is a wholehearted and willing sacrifice He desires.

Note the example of Paul. He was in the process of giving his life for the Gospel, for the good of other people. He did it gladly and with rejoicing. He challenged the Philippians to embrace the same attitude in their own service and sacrifice for the Lord.

If you have children, then you understand what Paul is talking about. Parents are pleased with obedience, even if it comes grudgingly and with grumbling. But that is not the kind of obedience they truly desire. Parents desire to see obedience that comes with a willing and even cheerful spirit. That kind of obedience doubly pleases their hearts. So, too, with the Lord.

It’s not just your actions that matter. The heart and spirit behind the actions matter, too. In fact, they matter most!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- May 12, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed -- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence -- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

The willingness to obey is our responsibility. The power to obey comes from God. What grace!

God asks us to obey and then provides what we need to be able to do it. He never leaves us without what we need to do what He asks.

Peter declared, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” (2 Peter 1:3)

The other amazing truth that stands out for me in these verses is that God has a purpose for us. He is working in us to accomplish His purpose. It is amazing that the Almighty God of creation has a use for us! He desires to use us to accomplish what He wants done.

What more marvelous reason for living could there possibly be than that God wants to use us for His purposes!

Dwell on this today:  God has given you everything you need to do what He desires and He does desire to use you!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- May 11, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”(Philippians 2:5-11)

There are many role models from which to choose. There is only One truly worth following!

Consider the role model of Jesus: equal with God, enjoying the freedom, authority, and glory of His position. Absolutely no needs, no pain or discomfort, no humiliation. It was a perfect existence.

And He gave it all up! He gave it up for one reason. The one thing He missed was you and me. He gave it up to ultimately bring us there with Him.

He gave it up for humility: He made Himself nothing, a human being just like us. Then He stooped even further: He humbled Himself as a man to be a servant to the rest of men and to sacrifice His own life for us.

That’ the role model of Jesus: a willing, humble servant to others. He invites us to follow His model. To imitate His humility. To follow Him in serving others.

In the end, the glory He received was greater than the glory He knew before. He returned to His former place of freedom, authority, and glory. He returned with even greater glory: every knee bowing in awe. Every person worshiping Him. Every inhabitant of heaven marveling at His loving sacrifice.

If you’ll choose to be a servant here, ultimately you’ll find the rewards worth it, too. The glory and pleasure of heaven will be multiplied for you, if you follow His example of service here on earth.

He is a role model truly worth following. The only One!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- May 8, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)

Paul lists four things that should make an impact on our lives: having a relationship with Christ, understanding that He loves us, the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit, and the human characteristics of tenderness and compassion.

One impact Paul desires these things to have is to develop in us a heart of unity that comes from selflessness.

Even in Paul’s day there were things that divided the people of God. The book of Philippians is not the only letter that talks about disunity and stresses the importance finding unity in Christ. Unity is on God’s heart. It is His desire for His people! It is through the unity of His people that God is able to accomplish what He desires … to see others enfolded into His family (John 17:20-23).

Disunity comes through selfishness and unity is built through unselfishness.

Consider all that God has done for you. Be awed by it. Let it drive you toward unselfishness as you relate to others in whom you see God at work!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- May 7, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved -- and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.” (Philippians 1:27-30)

Paul had an interesting perspective on suffering for the Gospel. He considered it a gift from God! Paul says that it had been granted the Philippians to suffer for Christ.

That doesn’t mean suffering should be sought after. It does mean that if suffering for Christ comes our way, we should not run from it. Rather, we should view it as a privilege. God has considered us strong enough to be His soldiers in a difficult battle.

Some are laughed at and ridiculed by those with whom they work. Some are shunned by their neighbors. Some are rejected by their family members. In some parts of the world the suffering goes beyond these things to actual physical suffering for Christ and death. It is a battle and there are wounds and casualties in a battle. Thank God if He considers you a soldier He can count on.

Paul includes an admonition, too. Live in a manner worthy of the Gospel. If you do suffer, be sure you are suffering for Christ and not because of your own stubbornness or pride or self-righteousness or other impure attitudes or actions.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- May 6, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.” (Philippians  1:20-26)

Life or death, it didn’t make a difference to Paul. He could face either with equal peace and confidence.

Life meant serving Christ. It meant helping others come to know Him and grow in Him.

Death meant being with Christ. It meant enjoying being in His presence for eternity.

The choice was a hard one for Paul. Death would be better for him. Life would allow him to help others more.

The choice wasn’t Paul’s anyway! It was the Lord’s and Paul was willing for Him to choose either course for him. Life, serving Christ or death, being with Christ. Both revolved around Christ, so both could be faced with peace and confidence.

Are you facing life with peace and confidence? Could you face death with peace and confidence?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- May 5, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” (Philippians 1:18-19)

Paul reports two things in these verses of which he had become convinced:

1.    Prayer works.

2.    God is involved in what happens in the world.

Paul found great joy in these facts, and so should we! We are not alone in the world. We are not without help for our lives.

When we pray, or when others pray for us, things happen as a result. We are not just praying into space with our requests lost and meaningless. Prayer works! I don’t know why, but I know it is true, God moves in response to the prayers of His people. God is not an all-powerful Genie, ready to do whatever we ask. Yet, as it fits with His will and accomplishes His purposes, He responds to our requests.

So pray! Pray for your own needs, God is listening. Pray for the needs of others, He’ll respond.

God has not created the world, wound it up like a clock and left it to run down on its own without His involvement. God is involved in the world, He is involved in our lives. Paul was in prison, but he was not there at the mercy of the guards and officials. Someone else was involved and would determine what happened to Paul. God was in control.

What joy and comfort and confidence those thoughts bring!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- May 4, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” (Philippians 1:15-18)

Does it ever bother you to see preachers whose motives seem to be less than pure? It does me. There are some who seem to have an arrogance about them that makes it seem they preach only to exalt themselves. There are others who seem to be greedy, whose basic motivation is the pay they get for what they do. To add to the troubling aspect, some with seemingly impure motives are very successful in what they do.

This passage also reminds me of many other preachers I know whose attitudes and motives seem marvelous. I know those who seem to be so unselfish and willing to sacrifice anything in order to keep preaching. I know some who seem to have such deep love for those to whom they are preaching and a commitment to them that is marvelous. However, these aren’t always the most successful, in worldly terms, so that adds to the trouble for me.

I draw two conclusions from what Paul said about the motives of those who preach: Their motives shouldn’t matter to me. I can’t really know their motives, anyway. Besides, what should really cause me to rejoice is not their motivation, but that people are hearing the Good News. Even from the lips of those with impure motives, the Good News is still powerfully effective!

What Paul says makes me look as honestly as I can at my own motives. I want to be among those who do what I do for Christ because I love Him and want to serve Him and love those I help and want to serve them. How about an honest examination of your own motives?

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- May 1, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” (Philippians 1:12-14)

When Paul wrote the Philippian letter he was a prisoner. Although Paul does not identify the city in which he was a prisoner the best speculation is that it was written while he was a prisoner in Rome. He had been jailed because of his preaching. His preaching stirred up trouble for those who did not accept it and did not like the changes it made in others. The book of Acts and the letters of Paul speak of several times during his life when Paul was put in prison for preaching.

That would seem like a defeat to most of us, a time when there wouldn’t be much of anything we could do for the advance of the Kingdom. To be sure, a few letters could be written and much studying and praying could be done. But the opportunity to preach and really affect the lives of others would be gone. Or so we would think.

Paul didn’t think that way. He viewed prison not as the loss of opportunity, but as a change of opportunity. He couldn’t preach to the crowds. He couldn’t visit the churches. But he could talk to the soldiers who were guarding him! And preach he did. He was prisoner through enough rotations and constant enough in his telling others about Christ that by the time he wrote this letter there wasn’t a soldier in the palace guard who hadn’t heard the message of Jesus!

Think about that example: no matter where he was or what he was doing, in good times and in tough times, Paul still told those around him about Jesus.

Now there’s an example to be followed!

His, by Grace,

Steve